The first look of the famous 'Lalbaugcha Raja' was unveiled ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai on Monday. The Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal revealed the first look of its 14-foot-tall Ganesh idol. Every year, lakhs of devotees throng to Lalbagh market to see the 'Lalbaugcha Raja' in Mumbai's Putlabai Chawl.
Their theme this year is based on the Ayodhya Ram temple. Well-known art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai has given shape to the pandal decorations, reports said.
The 10-day Ganesh festival begins on August 31 on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and ends on September 9 coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi.
After muted celebrations for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshostsav Mandal is all set to celebrate the festival in the traditional way this year. Founded in 1934, the mandal completes 89 years this year.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra also tweeted a video of the incident, saying, "Nothing expresses the heart and soul of Mumbai better than Lalbaugcha Raja…Ganpati Bappa Morya."
Maharshtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that the Covid-19 curbs have been lifted, as also the limits on the height of the Lord Ganesh idols.
Shinde has also directed the state administration to create a separate lane at toll plazas on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway for vehicles going for the Ganesh festival.
The CM has also asked the authorities to strengthen the CCTV system to prevent accidents and ensure security on the expressway.
Last week, the Maharashtra government had waived the toll on Mumbai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Goa highways as well as toll plazas of other Public Works Department (PWD) roads from August 27 to September 11 in view of the Ganesh festival.
The move was aimed at providing relief to Lord Ganesh devotees travelling from different parts of Maharashtra to the state's coastal Konkan belt, PTI reported.